Do Unto Others [Mass Market Paperback]

I got my hardcopy today and have to say: Mad Mike is at it again in fine form! It's a rollicking good time on the autobahn of violence and protection, sex and professionalism, greed versus the enterprenurial spirit - it's firing on all cylinders. That's probably why I read it all in one afternoon. Having said that, I will say I was this close | | to knocking off one star. That grieves me because I am a fan, so here's why (and they're admittedly pretty shallow reasons, which is why I left it on). First, the climax was delayed a bit long, and was a heavy hit, but it seemed very short and there was no significant denoument following it. Now, I don't expect an action-adventure book to want to snuggle afterward, but I felt not only like more satisfaction could have been had, but like a lot of loose strings and unfinished business was hanging out there and not terribly well-addressed in the cold after action report. Some issues may or may not get addressed in a sequal for which there is certainly potential, so this isn't a deal breaker by any means. The second reason is, frankly, the cover. While it's certainly eye-catching and particularly in light of the juxtaposition of the title "Do Unto Others" with the amply-endowed siren with the bow, it really didn't strike me as particularly consistent with the image of the twenty-year old college student client or anything about who was doing unto whom. Besides, she looks kind of bored, slightly distorted, and not at all like she was "doing" anything nor being threatened nor being protected by anyone in the background. Mike went to the trouble of writing a kick-@ss book about a bunch of eclectic and detailed characters in a fascinating setting. The publisher could do his work the justice of putting the team on the cover in a more prominent - and maybe even protective - fashion. Again, a small complaint that a book cover would be used more to sell books than to pull the reader into the story, but the small details add up and count for reader satisfaction. Anyway, if you're looking for a fun read, give it a whirl!

This review is not so much a "review" as it is a public service announcement. All of Baen's books (Baen is the publisher in case you didn't know) are available directly from their website, in every format imaginable, all without DRM copy protection nonsense. So, feel free to buy from here, or pay six bucks directly to the publisher. As for the book itself, it's an entertaining if uninspired read. If you like military[-ish] scifi with a heavy handed dose of libertarian ethos, then great. I say "-ish", btw, because while definitely aimed at the military/space-opera crowd, Williamson doesn't harp on the military regs and customs to the degree the genre tends -- a lack I like but others will find wanting. I enjoyed Better to Beg Forgiveness more, but that's probably more because it was my first taste of "Mad Mike" than any real qualitative differences between the two novels. If you liked his first Ripple Creek adventure, Better to Beg Forgiveness..., you'll like this. If you were on the fence before, I would opt for the library on this one.

Michael Z. Williamson is a science fiction writer in the vein of Robert Heinlein. Libertarian, contemptuous of western, liberal government. You know the type.
I don't agree with much of his political views, but admire the clear, forceful way he presents them. His latest book, "Do Unto Others" is more in the same school. It concerns the continuing adventures of a group of mercenary bodyguards introduced in "Better to Beg Forgiveness".
"The Prescot family were miners. At one time, they were contracted to develop technology for a mineral rich but uninhabitable system. Gradually, all the investors shied away. Then the Prescots broke through with the technology needed to exploit entire planets, and incidentally develop domed playgrounds for the perversely rich, including indoor ski slopes and cable cars over megavolcanos, casinos and rides. This created the economic problem of being the richest people in the universe, having more money than most governments and effectively unlimited resources.
Money is a small blessing when enemies are quite willing to spend billions for the chance at trillions. Bryan Prescot and his daughter might as well have targets painted on their backs for the thugs, kidnappers and assassins their competitors would throw at them. Bodyguards were necessary--Highly trained bodyguards who could be bought once and be utterly loyal no matter the circumstances.
The altercation comes to a head inside the domes and mines of Govannon, with their enemy desperate to do anything to save their own lives, now that the gloves are off. Caron Prescot has only six bodyguards against an army, but she has two aces in the hole: The miners are on her side, and Elke, Ripple Creek's psychotic demolition expert, has a nuke."
This is I think his weakest book to date. The plot is a bit muddled. He starts it as if it's a mystery. Someone seems to be trying to kill their client and they can't figure out whom (except it's obvious to the reader from the start). These bodyguards are supposed to be the best in the world, but for the first part of the book, they just react to events.
Things seem to improve when the plot takes them off planet and of course, there's a glorious guts for glory bloody end! But it all doesn't seem to mesh together. Is the author telling a story about body guarding on 23rd century earth? Is he telling a story about off world mining?
One of the great weaknesses of most SJ writers is their inability to draw sharp distinct characters. Mr. Williamson is a rare exception. His characters are usually vivid drawn and his dialogue is free of clichés. However, in this case, his main character, Caron Prescot, is a confusing jumble of traits. You never quite feel you understand her of come to like her.
Overall, not his best, but worth reading, if you've read his others.

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